Miss SA finalists each receive R25K cash prize

The Miss South Africa finalists – who are vying for the title of Miss South Africa 2017 – have received their R25 000 prize money as public voting intensifies ahead of the pageant next month.

The 12 women will compete to take top honours and wear the prestigious crown at the Sun City Superbowl on Sunday, March 26, in an event which will be televised live and simulcast on M-Net and Mzansi Magic.

There are a number of firsts for this year’s competition: Miss South Africa 2017 will receive R1-million in cash from sponsors Sun International and Cell C as well as a bouquet of prizes that will elevate the competition to one of the richest pageants in the world.

It is also the first time that the finalists have received a cash prize. All finalists are also able to take part in the 12-month Cell C internship programme should they choose to avail themselves of the opportunity once the Miss South Africa 2017 competition is over.

It is also the first time in the history of the Miss South Africa pageant, that members of the public have their say in who wins the prestigious title.

Anyone can enter the competition by sending an SMS with the key number of their favourite Top 12 finalist to the short code number, 45791. Each SMS will cost R1.50. Proceeds from the competition will benefit the Cell C Girl Child Bursary Fund. Up for grabs for five lucky voters is a weekend at The Palace at Sun City and VIP tickets to attend the live Miss South Africa pageant and after party at Sun City. For more information visit the Miss South Africa website www.misssa.co.za.

The finalists were delighted to receive the money this week in which a new portfolio of pictures of the finalists, taken at Sun City by renowned photographer Garreth Barclay, was released. Each explains what they plan to do with their windfall. (Names in alphabetical order with their unique key numbers for public voting).

Adè van Heerden : “I am absolutely elated to receive the prize money. It’s important to be prepared in whatever you take on in life and I’ll be using this money to optimally prepare myself in becoming Miss South Africa. The pageant is ‘investing’ in my life and I want to be sure I use all my opportunities in returning that value by becoming the best version of myself. I do plan on spoiling my sisters who are my support structure to a lovely dinner, just to say thank you for all their love.”

Boipelo Mabe : “I am so grateful for this gesture from our sponsors. For me it is a blessing and will enable me to further improve my life and impact on the world around me. I plan to use this money as part of capital investment for a start-up business that I would like to launch towards the end of the year.”

Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters : “I am really grateful for the prize money that we have received from our sponsors. I believe knowledge is power and, as a young entrepreneur who wants to start her own business development company in the near future, I will use the prize money to further invest in my studies. Perhaps I’ll even get myself one really nice pair of shoes as well!”

Iman Mkwanazi : “I’m thankful to Sun International and Cell C for the prize money as it will assist many of us in the different routes we have chosen to take. I’ll be saving the money and using it to invest in my cleaning company in the near future. I will buy cleaning material and equipment.”

Kayla Malherbe : “I am thrilled! I’d like to thank all the sponsors for the prize money we as Top 12 received. I’ll be putting this money into an investment account to save up for studying and for a car.”

Nicole van Niekerk : “I am really grateful for the investment Sun International and Cell C is making in South African women. Personally, I will reinvest this money in my own business to help me achieve my greater goals in the future.”

Nompumelelo Mampholo : “I certainly feel like I’ve won the lottery. I have never had R25 000 to my name so it’s very exciting. I’m holding on to it for as long as I can. I’m putting it into a savings account.”

Odirile Sepeng : “I will invest into my ‘Mind Over Matter’ project, an initiative that is dedicated to empowering and meeting the needs of children and the youth in underprivileged schools. I am grateful for the opportunity and resources that Miss South Africa and Cell C has offered to us, thus enabling us to not only fulfil our purpose in life but to be active leaders in our communities as well.”

Priyeshka Lutchman : “So far my Miss South Africa journey has been a great family adventure. Some of my prize money will be going to my parents – mum needs to make certain that our charity work to keep ensuring girls have sanitary towels continues and dad needs to keep me responsible and invest the rest. Oh, and a pair of shoes of course!”

Shané Naidoo : “I feel very grateful for the R25 000 prize money! After visiting SARAC earlier this month, I’m inspired to donate a small portion of my prize money to my local SPCA. I’ll be putting the rest towards wardrobe preparations and marketing myself as we near the finale in March.”

Shelbe Pretorius : “I am a firm believer in tithing 10% – if not more if you can – and I am currently working on care centre up-liftment in my community so I plan on using some of the money towards my project (new mattresses for the kids to be more specific) and I also plan on spoiling my family.”

Yuta Raubenheimer : “I am truly thankful and ecstatic about the prize money that Miss South Africa has so generously given each finalist. My motto when it comes to finances is: give a little, save a little and spend a little and I intend doing just that.”

The Miss South Africa Pageant is a proud collaboration between Sun International and Cell C. Judges for the pageant include Maps Maponyane, Bridget Masinga and Ezra Davids, with more celebrity judges to be announced shortly.